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The International Boxing Federation has announced that George Martinez is the new IBF Ratings Chairman joining the Executive Staff. Additionally, IBF Board Member Ben Keilty will take on the role of Vice-Chairman of the IBF Ratings Committee and will oversee the Female Ratings specifically.

“George and Ben are both passionate and vastly knowledgeable about boxing,” said IBF President Daryl Peoples. “Having held the position of IBF Ratings Chairman for several years, I have great respect for what they will do and what they will bring to the table. These two gentlemen are committed to their new roles, and to continue to produce solid and fair ratings contributing to the IBF’s continued success.” Continue reading “George Martinez named IBF Ratings Chairman”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Sensational former K-1 world champ Yoshiki Takei (2-0, 2 KOs), 119.75, displayed an impressive stoppage of previously unbeaten KO artist Azusa Takeda (5-1, 5 KOs), 119.75, with a single southpaw right hook at 2:57 of the opening session in a scheduled six on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.

Takei, 25, now handled by Ohashi Promotions and coached by former three-division titlist Akira Yaegashi, had registered a good ledger of 25-2, 16 KOs while fighting in the K-1 ring, where the stylish and slick-punching Yoshiki won the K-1 world grand prix tournament in 2017. Continue reading “Former K-1 champ Takei halts Takeda”

Former cruiserweight and heavyweight undisputed world champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, UFC star Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort and all the undercard fighters faced off at the final press conference for Saturday’s PPV at the Hard Rock LIVE at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort, heavyweight / eight rounds

Evander Holyfield: “I thought I was getting ready to fight Mike Tyson but now I’m fighting Vitor Belfort. So, I’ve been training for two years for that. When they asked me to fight Vitor I said if he wants to do it then I want to do it. I put the time in the last two years and I want to get paid for my time. It hasn’t been a week to get ready, I’ve been training for two years. I’m more than ready and look forward to the fight.”

Vitor Belfort: “It’s a joy to me to fight Evander Holyfield on Saturday night. I remember when I first fought in the UFC tournament, the same month I saw Evander fight Mike Tyson the second time. My dream was to see MMA become as big as boxing. He’s the heavyweight king and I’m looking forward to showing my boxing skills on Saturday night. It’s an amazing opportunity for me.” Continue reading “Holyfield-Belfort Final Press Conference”

By Joe Koizumi

WBC 108lb title bout re-scheduled

The WBC light-flyweight title bout between defending champ Kenshiro Teraji (18-0, 10 KOs) and #1 ranked Masamichi Yabuki (12-3, 11 KOs), both Japan, had been once slated in Kyoto on September 10, but Teraji tested positive for a COVID-19 PCR test, so it was postponed accordingly. The champ recovered so completely that Shinsei Promotions has announced it will take place at the same venue on September 22.

WBO AP 105lb title bout of Koura, Shigeoka set

The vacant WBO Asia Pacific 105-pound belt will be disputed by ex-OPBF titleholder Tsubasa Koura and unbeaten prospect Yudai Shigeoka in Tokyo on November 12. The belt had been vacated by Yudai’s twin brother Ginjiro Shigeoka to pave the way for Yudai to acquire the regional championship. Yudai had acquired the national amateur championships five times and compiled a brilliant mark of 82-10 before entering the paid ranks a couple of years ago.

(9-10-2021)

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Manny Pacquiao’s co-trainer and life-long best friend Buboy Fernandez says Pacman should end his career on a winning note. “It’s not nice seeing him retire from the sport of boxing coming off a loss,” Buboy told the Daily Tribune. “We’ve learned our lessons. We know what went wrong and we know what to do in the event he decides to fight again. It’s up to him. It’s his call, his decision to make.”

Greg Outlaw 145.7 vs. Edgar Torres 145.2
Christian Carto 120.3 vs. Yeison Vargas 120.6
Elijah Morales 145.3 vs. Kevin Davilla 144.7
Kashom Hutchinson 145.3 vs. Andre Byrd 147.4
LeAnna Cruz 115.3 vs. Delaney Bailey 116.9
Julian Gonzalez 129.2 vs. Ronny Arana 129.5
Quadir Albright 142.2 vs. Humberto Camareno Jr. 142.5

Venue: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia
Promoter: King’s Promotions
Stream: Flo Combat

The Championships Committee of the World Boxing Association (WBA) has ordered a purse bid for the super welterweight eliminator bout between Michel Soro (Gold champion) and Israil Madrimov (mandatory challenger) for next Monday, September 20.

All the parties involved received the official information. The bidding will take place via Zoom at 10:00 A.M. Panama time, and will be directed by Carlos Chavez, president of the Championships Committee. The purse split will be 50% for each fighter and the minimum amount to participate for the rights to promote the fight will be US$ 110,000.

With California Covid-19 regulations, causing people to now show a vax card or a covid negative test, putting a stop to indoor events over 1,000 people we decided that it was time that we go outdoors and let fans experience an outdoor Fight Club OC show under the stars. So the September 23rd and October 14th shows will be outdoor shows until things cool down in the world of Covid-19.

The main mall area of the OC Fair & Event Center, right outside The Hangar doors, will be converted to a Fight Club OC combative sports arena with over 1,500 fight fans treated to a six bout show. In the main event on September 23, undefeated WBC Youth super featherweight titleholder Manuel Jaimes (11-0-1, 9 KOs) faces  Emiliano Martin Garcia (16-6-1, 13 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

By Boxing Newman at the scale

Oscar Valdez 130 vs. Robson Conceição 129.6
(WBC Super Featherweight Title)

Gabriel Flores Jr. 129.6 vs. Luis Alberto Lopez 128.4

Junto Nakatani 111.4 vs. Angel Acosta 112
(WBO Flyweight Title)

Xander Zayas 151.8 vs. Jose Luis Sanchez 151.6
Lindolfo Delgado 141.6 vs. Miguel Zamudio 140.8
René Telléz Girón 132.2 vs. Eduardo Garza 132.6
Omar Aguílar 142.6 vs. Carlos Manuel Portillo 141.6

Venue: Casino del Sol, Tuscon, AZ
Promotor: Top Rank
TV: ESPN+

WBO junior lightweight world champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring will defend his world title against undefeated former featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson on ESPN October 23 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. At Thursday’s kickoff press conference, this is what Top Rank chairman Bob Arum and the fighters had to say.

Jamel Herring: “They’re making Shakur out to be the future superstar, but again, maybe he will be a future star in his own right, but right now, we’re focusing on the now. I still feel like I have things to prove to myself, and I’m just going to go out and do what I have to do.”

Shakur Stevenson: “It’s an amazing opportunity to be back here fighting for another world title. My last word title, I fought in October (2019 against Joet Gonzalez). This world title, I fight in October. It’s going to be no different. I’m coming here to dominate…at the end of the day, I’m coming in there to handle business, and I’m going to make sure I win.”

Continue reading “Herring-Stevenson Kickoff Press Conference”

IBF #4, WBC #9, WBO #13 heavyweight Filip Hrgović (12-0, 10 KOs) and unbeaten Marko Radonjic (22-0, 22 KOs) weighed in today for Friday’s clash at the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria, live on RTL in Croatia and DAZN in over 190 countries and territories worldwide. According to Hrgović’s promoter, all of the IBF top 15 turned down the opportunity to face him in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight crown.

Hrgović weighed 247 lbs., Radonjic weighed 249.

By Robert Coster

Dominican minimumweight prodigy Erick “Mini-Pacman” Rosa (4-0, 1 KO) will challenge reigning WBA champion Victorio Saludar (21-4, 11 KOs) of the Philippines on December 9 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Rosa was previously the WBA interim champion but that title was scrapped by the WBA as a consequence of the reform of its rankings and Rosa became Saludar’s number one mandatory challenger. The card will be sponsored by Shuan Boxing Promotion. The 21-year-old Rosa made boxing history upon turning pro in 2020 by winning two regional titles in his very first pro bout.

By Boxing Bob Newman

WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez and Challenger Robson Conceção took the stage at the sunset room of Casino of the Sun, just down the street from The AV Amphitheater at Casino del Sol, where they will swap leather Friday night on ESPN. Chief supporting combatants Gabriel Flores Jr. and Luis Alberto Lopez Vargas we’re also on the stage to answer questions from host Mark Shunock.

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Ring legend Evander Holyfield spoke about stepping in for Oscar De La Hoya to face UFC fighter Vitor Belfort on short notice on Saturday night on pay-per-view from Hard Rock LIVE at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“When Oscar De La Hoya came down with COVID, they asked me to fight Vitor Belfort,” said Holyfield. “Training is what I do. Like I tell the young people, if you do things right it will work out for you. That works for older folks too.

“Boxing is a game and I know how to prepare for it against Vitor Belfort. I’m sure if I was getting in his game, I’d be in trouble but he’s getting into my game so he’s in trouble. Continue reading “Holyfield: I don’t get out of shape”

MMA legend Vitor Belfort spoke about meeting late sub Evander Holyfield Saturday night on pay-per-view from Hard Rock LIVE at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“I don’t see the change in opponent as a problem, I see it as an opportunity. And this is a huge opportunity for me to face a legend like Evander Holyfield,” said Belfort Wednesday.

“In boxing, there are too many big fights that aren’t happening. Oscar and Evander truly built the sport of boxing during their careers. Evander’s a hall of famer and I’m very excited to be fighting him.” Continue reading “Belfort: Speed, power more important than size”

Below is an official statement from Patrick Cunningham, Executive Director of the Florida State Boxing Commission:

“The Florida Athletic Commission has approved the Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort bout as a fully regulated professional boxing match. It will be conducted under the Unified Rules of Boxing and scored by three judges on the 10-point must system.

“All boxers on this card have successfully met all requirements to be licensed by the Florida Athletic Commission.”

Holyfield last fought ten years ago at age 48 against Brian Nielsen. Evander turns 59 next month.

WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder have restarted their long-running rivalry and stated their intent to finally settle the score when they meet for the third time on PPV October 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tyson Fury: “I’m going to knock Deontay Wilder spark out and it’s going to be even quicker than our last fight. If he couldn’t beat me after three years out of the ring and 10 stone weight loss, he’s never beating me. None of them will. They’re just hyped-up bums. All of them. Wilder, Joshua, Usyk. They’re all bums. Compared to me, they’re no good.”

Deontay Wilder: Hopefully Fury is confident enough to go through with this fight because I’m going to be a reinvented Deontay Wilder on October 9. This training camp has rejuvenated me. It’s refreshed me. The key to victory in this fight is having a violent mind, but approaching it with calmness. I have all the right people around me and we’re looking forward to October 9. I just hope Fury is ready to put on a show for the fans and make history once again.”

WBC super featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez and challenger Robson Conceicao faced off at the final press conference for their ESPN+ showdown on Friday evening at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. Conceicao defeated Valdez by one point in the finals of the 2009 Pan American Games, so the amateur rivals have a professional score to settle.

Oscar Valdez: “I feel blessed that I get the chance to step in the ring on September 10. I’m very grateful to Top Rank, the Pascua Yaqui {Tribal Gaming Commission} for letting this fight proceed…we know we did nothing wrong. We’re going to be real concentrated for this fight.”

Robson Conceicao: “About the problem with the champion, what is done is done. There is no explanation, but I’m here to do my best and fight the greatest fight of my life.”

Full Quotes

Light heavyweight contenders Robin Krasniqi (51-6, 19 KOs) and Dominic Bösel (31-2, 12 KOs) faced off in the kick-off press conference for their final WBA world title eliminator on October 9 at the GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany. Krasniqi surprisingly knocked out Bösel in round three of their WBA interim title fight 12 months ago, however, WBA has since been phased out interim belts. Krasniqi’s IBO belt will be on the line.

Robin Krasniqi: “I have enjoyed every second as world champion since the win in October 2020. I’ve fulfilled my big dream and nobody can take it away from me. It’s my greatest success and it took a long time, but I never gave up and always working towards the big and only goal! Even now, I’m highly motivated again!” Continue reading “Krasniqi-Boesel Kickoff Press Conference”

Professional boxing returns to the Greater Pittsburgh area Saturday night, September 18, as Gionta Management presents “Murrysville Madness” at Murrysville SportZone in Murrysville, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh junior lightweight Matt “Sweet Child” Conway (19-2, 8 KOs) will headline in the eight round main event against an opponent to be finalized. In the six round co-feature, super middleweight Kiante Irving (9-0, 9 KOs), a 2018 National Golden Gloves Champion, plans to keep his perfect pro record intact against Antonio Louis Hernandez (5-11-3, 3 KOs). Also, lightweight Ryizeemmion “The Humble Beast” Ford (5-1-0, 3 KOs) steps up in his first scheduled six-rounder versus an opponent to be determined.

It’s been a hell of a September with COVID knocking out the biggest fight each weekend. David Benavidez (Sept 4), Oscar de la Hoya (Sept 11), and Brandon Figueroa (Sept 18). Hopefully we can get to the Sept 25 Joshua-Usyk clash with no more problems.

Just two be clear, fight fans buying Holyfield-Belfort on FITE.tv will have a choice between two audio feeds. The main Triller broadcast will have Jim Lampley and Shawn Porter calling the action. Former President Donald Trump’s boxing commentary will be on an alternate audio feed available on FITE.tv.

Looks like Snoop Dogg isn’t coming to Florida where he’d be in trouble for sparking one up on the air.

Game of Thrones star and “2018 World’s Strongest Man” Thor Bjornsson returns to the ring next Saturday at the Sport Society in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Thor takes on Devon Larratt, who is considered one of the best arm wrestlers of all time. This is Thor’s third time in the ring following exhibition bouts with pro boxers Steven Ward and Simon Vallily earlier this year.

Also on the Dubai card is WBC #14, WBA #15, IBF #15 heavyweight Martin Bakole (16-1, 12 KOs) against Haruna Osumanu (11-2, 7 KOs).

Top Rank has inked a four-year multimedia agreement with ESPN KNOCKOUT, which is available in 25 Spanish-speaking territories. ESPN KNOCKOUT airs a lot of great fights not available in the U.S. What we really need to do is this deal in reverse and get ESPN KNOCKOUT fights up here on ESPN+.

Three of the four bouts on this Saturday’s Holyfield-Belfort card at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, are celebrity matches. However, the clash between WBA #4 super featherweight Jono Carroll (19-2-1, 5 KOs) and WBA #7 Andy Vences (23-2-1, 12 KOs) has world title ramifications. Carroll-Vences has now taken on even more significance with the WBA upgrading the bout to a world title eliminator. The bout is pick’em at several sportsbooks.

Friday’s clash between heavyweight contender Tony Yoka (10-0, 8 KOs) and Peter Milas (15-0, 11 KOs) will headline a scheduled three-fight telecast streaming live in the United Stateson ESPN+. The event takes place at Roland Garros, site of the French Open. This marks the first boxing show to take place at the famed tennis venue since 1973.

WBC #3 rated former world title challenger Igor Mikhalkin (24-2, 11 KOs) takes on WBC #5, IBF #7, WBO #10, WBA #12 Mathieu Bauderlique (20-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant European Union light heavyweight title.

WBA #14 super welterweight Souleymane Cissokho (13-0, 8 KOs) will defend his WBA Intercontinental strap against Ismail Iliev (13-2-1, 3 KOs). Continue reading “Yoka-Milas undercard fights set”

There goes September 18.

With Canelo-Plant getting pushed back to November and DAZN’s proposed Mikey Garcia card falling apart, the coveted Mexican Independence Day Weekend fight date was owned lock, stock, and barrel by Showtime’s attractive title unification clash between unbeaten super bantamweight world champions Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) and Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. (19-0, 8 KOs) from the Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

Unfortunately, Figueroa announced on social media that he has contracted COVID and the fight is postponed. Continue reading “COVID KOs Figueroa, Sept 18 bout postponed”

WBA welterweight world champion Yordenis Ugás was honored with the “Key to the City” of Miami by Mayor Francis Suarez this afternoon during a ceremony at Mayor Suarez’s office. Ugás defeated legendary eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on August 21 to retain his title in a fight viewed by millions around the world. Continue reading “Ugas honored with Key to Miami”