Fightnews.com

By Héctor Villarreal

Undefeated lightweight Jonathan Miniel (5-0, 5 KOs) failed to make the 135lb limit for the WBA Fedecentro lightweight title fight against Fernando “Panther” Martinez (6-2, 2 KOs ) who refused to fight in the superlight división, so Laguna Premium Boxing swithched the co-main event, Hibrahim Valdespino (3-0-1, 2 KOs) vs Elias Vega (5-5, 0 KOs) to head Friday night’s card at the Centro de Combates in Panama City. Miniel will now face Samir Cuentas (3-3, 0 KOs) in a preliminary fight.

More

Lamont Roach Jr. 130 vs. Feargal McCrory 129.6
(WBA super featherweight title)

Lester Martinez 167.2 vs. Carlos Gongora 168.8
Alex Dilmaghani 132 vs. Rene Tellez Giron 136.2
Rianna Rios 116.6 vs. Mary Romero 117.2
Benjamin Johnson 147.4 vs. Michael Williams 147.6
Jordan Roach 115 vs. Luis Domingo Hernandez Cambero 113.6
Greg Outlaw 144 vs. Isidro Curiel 144.6
Deric Davis 135.4 vs. Matias Agustin-Arriagada 132
Travon Marshall 151.4 vs. Luis Midyael Sanchez 156 lbs.
Eric Hernandez 140.6 vs. Jonathan Hernan Godoy 142

Venue: Entertainment & Sports Arena, Washington, DC
Promoter: NoXcuse Promotions
TV: ProBox TV

Undefeated super middleweight Darius “DFG” Fulghum (12-0, 10 KOs) hammered out a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over late sub Vaughn “The Animal” Alexander (18-12-1, 11 KOs) on Thursday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. The scores were 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.

Ramon Arellano (Arellano Boxing Promotions) presents a night of boxing July 25th in Nashville, Tennessee. The site of the event will be the popular San Jose Fiesta Mexican Restaurant owned by Arellano. The four round main event will feature unbeaten Jacob Yamazato (3-0, 3 KOs) who recently signed promotionally with Arellano. The opponent for Yamazato will be journeyman Joshua Romero (0-6) of San Antonio, Texas. Continue reading “Boxing back in Nashville July 25”

Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez and Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada faced off at the final press conference for their WBC super flyweight title clash on DAZN Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Juan Francisco Estrada: “I’m going to go out all action like I always do, but in an intelligent way. He says I’m finished, I’m old. My aim is to show that that is not correct.

Jesse Rodriguez: “This is what it’s all about. This is what I’ve been wanting for a while…I do think it’s gonna start a little bit technical but once I figure him out, it’s a wrap.”

WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) and challenger Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their ESPN-televised world title showdown on Saturday at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

Teofimo Lopez: “We know how to get the job done. We know how to get the win. We’re not a two-time lineal champion for no reason. We do this. We face the best fighters in boxing. So, Steve Claggett is going to come to bring it. However, there are levels to this. I look forward to what he brings to the table, and we’ll dissect him from there.”

Steve Claggett: “This is something I’ve worked my whole life for. I feel like I have great momentum right now. It’s the time for me.”

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions has announced another Hollywood Fight Nights event set for August 31 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, and broadcast globally on UFC Fightpass. Headlining the event is fast-rising super lightweight, “Sugar” Cain Sandoval (11-0, 9 KOs) against “Ruthless” Ramiro Duno (26-4, 20 KOs) over ten scheduled rounds.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Who is the next Japanese star-to-be following the footstep of “Monster” Naoya Inoue? This reporter declines to describe a well-worn word “genius” to any bright prospect. How can we predict this boy would be world champ or superstar? Yours truly, however, repent of my failure to report Monster Inoue’s pro debut in detail in 2012? Twelve years later a very bright prospect successfully made a professional debut on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Hi manager, promoter and ex-world champ Hideyuki Ohashi had exaggeratedly emphasized remarkable talents of Yuta Sakai (1-0, 1 KO), 117.75, who this night scored a very impressive victory over Korean #3 super bantam Ji-Yong Kim (3-2-1, 1 KO), 117.75, at 1:20 of the second round in a scheduled six. Continue reading “Bright prospect Yuta Sakai decks pro debut”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese featherweight champ WBC#13, IBF#9 Keisuke Matsumoto (11-0, 7 KOs), 126, retained his national belt when he scored a shutout decision (all 100-90) over Yushi Fujita (12-10-4, 3 KOs), 126, over ten lopsided rounds on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Keisuke, the son of former three-time world challenger Koji (who unfortunately failed to win the belts from Young-Kyun Park in 1992, Young-Soo Choi in 1997 and Freddie Norwood in 1998), steadily piled up points by outpunching the durable challenger in every round. Keisuke (whose amateur mark was 80-15), 24, is a stylish upright stylist who registered his third defense with ease. Continue reading “Matsumoto defeats Fujita, keeps Japanese 126lb belt”

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez says his fight with Juan Francisco Estrada isn’t personal – but he wants to prove ‘El Gallo’ wrong for his past comments ahead of their blockbuster clash for Estrada’s WBC super flyweight titles at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona this Saturday on DAZN.

“This is a very important fight for me,” said BAM. “When I had that WBC belt before, he said a few things discrediting my wins against Cuadras and Rungvisai, so that on top of fighting for his world title makes it as big as can be. I just know I’m going to have my hand raised, by KO or on points.

“I wouldn’t call it personal to the point where I am mad about what he said, but he I do want to prove him wrong and show him that I am the truth, the real deal, and on Saturday, he’s going to see. Continue reading “BAM remembers Estrada criticism”

Darius Fulghum 167.8 vs. Vaughn Alexander 171.4
Eric Priest 161.8 vs. Janer Gonzalez 158.4
Tristan Kalkreuth 199.8 vs. Anthony Hollaway 190.8
Grant Flores 153.8 vs. Josias Gonzalez 150.4
Leonardo Sanchez 131.4 vs. Jenel Lausa 135
Cayden Griffiths 140 vs. Juan Romero 139.4
Brandon Sanchez 124.4 vs. MJ Bo 125.6

Venue: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

It’s a shocker that in just 1:25 of the first round they hit the canvas each other and the regional belt eventually moved to the new champion on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Elongated southpaw Japanese 6’3” Tyson Koki (17-5-3, 14 KOs), 167.75, captured the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight belt as he was badly dropped to the deck at first, barely raised himself with rubbery legs and more badly flattened defending titlist Deok-No Yun (8-2, 6 KOs), 167.25, from Korea, en route to a TKO victory at 1:25 of the opening session at the Korakuen Hall.

Yun, a sturdy six-footer, realized it’s a matter of time since he really hurt Tyson with a solid right counter. Upon the resumption of the fight Yun furiously attacked the fading Japanese with a flurry of punches that unfortunately had him wide open for Tyson’s avenging shot to the face. Down he went flat with his legs grotesquely paralyzed such as Ingemar Johansson decked by Floyd Patterson in their grudge fight at the Polo Grounds NY in 1960. Continue reading “Koki sinks Yun, wins WBO AP 168lb belt”

Fan-favorite welterweight Alexis “Lex” Rocha (24-2, 16 KOs) will face the undefeated Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (27-0, 20 KOs) in a 12-rounder that will headline a special edition of Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN July 19. The event will take place at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and worldwide on DAZN beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT.

Alexis Rocha: “I’m thankful to Golden Boy, DAZN and my entire team for the chance to headline another card. I’ve already proven that I was able to come back after a loss. My losses don’t define me. What defines me is the way I respond to the losses. This next fight is another test in me realizing my ultimate dream of becoming world champion. I’m focused on more knockouts for the fans.”

Santiago Dominguez: “Alexis Rocha is a great fighter – I have followed his career and he is well respected. On the fight night though, Alexis Rocha will find a fighter that is coming to win. It will be a great fight, our styles will really collide. This fight will end in a knockout.”

Riydah Season London was officially launched at a press conference at London ahead of the massive night of boxing at the ic onic Wembley Stadium on September 21. HE Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), confirmed the full card headlined by the bout between IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

The headline attraction is one of six all-British fights. Among the matchups…

• Two-time world featherweight champion Josh Warrington returns to world title action by going up against the current super featherweight world champion Anthony Cacace.
• Hamzah Sheeraz, who recently secured a knockout victory against Austin Williams, will take on European middleweight champion Tyler Denny.
• Former British Olympian Josh Kelly will face former WBO super welterweight champion Liam Smith.
• Undefeated 2016 Olympic bronze medallist and British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi will go into battle for the WBO interim title against Willy Hutchinson.
• WBA Intercontinental champion Mark Chamberlain goes against undefeated fellow British lightweight Josh Padley.

Official IBF Statement:

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024 IBF President Daryl Peoples received notification that Oleksandr Usyk was relinquishing his IBF world heavyweight title. Usyk conveyed his gratitude to the IBF, especially for having the opportunity to become the undisputed champion in two weight divisions. The IBF was honored to have Oleksandr Usyk as its champion and wishes him continued success.

Daniel Dubois, former IBF interim world heavyweight champion, was sent notice on June 26 that he is recognized as the organization’s world heavyweight champion effective immediately. The IBF has received the request for Dubois’ first defense of the heavyweight title to be against Anthony Joshua.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has given up the IBF portion of his world championship.

In a social media message, Usyk sent a message to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, who will be fighting for the vacant IBF belt in the fall. “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know a world title is important to you. The IBF belt is my present for you for September 21.”

As a result, when Usyk returns December 21 for his rematch against Tyson Fury, it will be without the undisputed title on the line.

Undefeated Darius “DFG” Fulghum (11-0, 10 KOs) of Katy, Texas will face a newly installed opponent, Vaughn “The Animal” Alexander (18-11-1, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri. Alexander was last seen going the distance against 2023 fight of the year winner Sergiy Derevyanchenko on the Haney vs. Garcia undercard. Fulghum and Alexander will measure up in a 10-round super middleweight clash. The event will take place at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the first fight begins at 5:00 p.m. PT and the worldwide DAZN broadcast begins at 6:00 p.m. PT.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

The sport of fists has always existed, and over the centuries it has transformed, but the reality is that it was always a wild one, brutal, virtually inhuman and harboring significant risk to the contestants. There were basic rules of the sport, but for many years there was nothing with reference to the physical integrity of the participants, their safety and health.

When my dad accepted the Presidency of the World Boxing Council, he did so conditionally on starting a revolution and transformation, to implement safety measures, changes to the regulations, and fight against all types of abuse of power and discrimination. Continue reading “Medical Investigation, Research and WBC Actions”

Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez has been bet up to a whopping 4:1 favorite to dethrone WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, live worldwide on DAZN. Some sports books have Rodriguez as much as a -480 favorite against Estrada. BAM opened as a -225 favorite.

Meanwhile, WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez is an overwhelming 12:1 favorite to retain his belt against Steve Claggett in their ESPN-televised bout on Saturday night from the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida, and live on ESPN.

Ring legend Roy Jones Jr. has issued a statement on the heartbreaking loss of his son.

Unfortunately, my son DeAndre took his life on Saturday. I’m so thankful that God allowed me to come home Friday night to spend the last night of his life with me and the family. I know a lot of people are going through tough times right now, but nothing is worth taking your own life. God gives it and God should be the one to take it away.

Please respect our privacy while my family and I process this loss.

Thank you for the love and support.

Roy Jones Jr.

WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) will reportedly be defending his title against unbeaten Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) on August 10 in Las Vegas. The mouth-watering bout between KO artists would air on DAZN and is expected to be officially announced shortly.

The WBC has received several specific requests concerning its super lightweight division. The WBC Board of Governors consideration of those requests has resulted in its rulings set forth below.

1. WBC super lightweight world champion Devin Haney requested to be placed in the status of champion in recess. The WBC Board of Governors unanimously granted Haney’s request and has declared him WBC world champion in recess.
2. Concurrently, the WBC Board of Governors declared current interim world champion Alberto Puello as WBC world super lightweight champion. The WBC will order a free negotiations period for champion Puello’s mandatory title defense against WBC #1-rated challenger and mandatory contender Sandor Martin.
3. Gary Antuanne Russell has petitioned that the WBC Board consider granting him an immediate rematch against now champion Puello in light of Russell’s very competitive and close split decision loss. After careful review, the WBC has granted an indirect rematch that will allow Russell to fight the winner of the now ordered bout between Puello and Martin.

Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada: “I was there [at his fight with Sunny Edwards], he looked great, but Edwards is a flyweight. It’s a different story up at super flyweight…people are talking about retirement. I have a lot left. He’s ten years younger but he didn’t look very good at super flyweight before. I want to keep making history.”

Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez: “I’ve been familiar with Estrada since I was 12 years old. I’ve been keeping an eye out. To share the ring with him is an honor…it’s my toughest fight to date. He’s been in the game a long time. It’s going to be an action-packed night.”

Congratulations to Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2024!

1. Dr. Mark Gordon (absentee) – Officials/Commission
2. Kathy Gentile
3. Chris Young
4. Tim Shipman
5. John Beninati – Participants
6. Marc Hager
7. Raul Alvarez
8. Carl King
9. Jorge Ebro – Media
10. Khalilah Escalera – Promoter
11. Sherman Henson – Manager/Trainer
12. Willie Vargas
13. Stacy Prestage (absentee) – Fighter
14. David Diaz
15. Raul Frank
16. Edner Cherry
17. Jose Alonzo
18. John John Molina

WBO junior welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) is set to defend his title against Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) on Saturday (June 29) at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Lopez will headline in South Florida for the first time.

“This is going to be a tough fight,” said Lopez. “A lot of people look at Claggett’s record and think I’m going to fight a nobody, but he hasn’t lost in three years. He has fought former champions. He always comes to fight and throws a lot of punches. I need to be in great condition to battle a fighter like him. I can’t overlook him, get overconfident, and play around with him. I know this fight will be great for all my people in Miami.

“Unlike these other supposed champs at 140, Steve Claggett is the only fighter who raised his hand and stepped up to challenge me. No other fighters were interested in getting in the ring with me. Continue reading “Teofimo poised to face Claggett Saturday”